Bexley food hygiene figures: More than a third of premises still failing

YOU still need to watch where you eat in Bexley according to the latest food hygiene figures.

In August the borough was rated the worst local authority in the country for the cleanliness of its catering establishments with the highest proportion of zero ratings under the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) food hygiene rating scheme.

That figure has since fallen from 9.1 per cent in July last year to 6.4 per cent as of February 15 but the proportion of caterers rated one - meaning major improvement is required - has risen from 20 per cent in July to 21.5 per cent now.

More than a third of Bexley caterers inspected - 35.6 per cent - failed their inspections by scoring two or less.

The news comes after Pizza Hut in Erith - one of almost 50 premises in the borough graded zero - was found to be so dirty even equipment coming out of the dishwasher was considered a health hazard.

Under the FSA system - which has operated in Bexley for nine months - businesses receive a score of nought to five, where five indicates very good hygiene standards and nought means urgent improvement is required.

Nearly a third of businesses, 30.6 per cent, have the top rating of five for "very good" which is the most popular rating.

A council spokeswoman said: "The initial stages of inspection were targeted those premises most likely to be problematic, such as takeaway premises, which inevitably means an initially higher proportion of lower scores than we would expect to see once all inspections have been completed.

"We strongly urge everyone to check out the rating of the premises that they frequent, and question why they are using anywhere with a rating of less than 3.

"Public reaction can be a major factor in encouraging businesses to adopt higher standards."

Comments

derekhope
3:57pm Thu 21 Feb 13

It should be enshrined in law that all premises serving food should be inspected regularly and without notice, and none should be allowed to operate without having their food hygiene certificate on tghe front door. The poorer ratings should be on a red certificate, the good ones on a green one, and those in the middle should be orange. Of all the things in life that I would like to do on a no pay voluntary basis, it is to be a premises inspector for health, safety and hygiene. And of course I would like the power to close down the many filthy premises.

It should be enshrined in law that all premises serving food should be inspected regularly and without notice, and none should be allowed to operate without having their food hygiene certificate on tghe front door. The poorer ratings should be on a red certificate, the good ones on a green one, and those in the middle should be orange. Of all the things in life that I would like to do on a no pay voluntary basis, it is to be a premises inspector for health, safety and hygiene. And of course I would like the power to close down the many filthy premises.derekhope

It should be enshrined in law that all premises serving food should be inspected regularly and without notice, and none should be allowed to operate without having their food hygiene certificate on tghe front door. The poorer ratings should be on a red certificate, the good ones on a green one, and those in the middle should be orange. Of all the things in life that I would like to do on a no pay voluntary basis, it is to be a premises inspector for health, safety and hygiene. And of course I would like the power to close down the many filthy premises.

Ipsoregulated

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